Distribution Central has become the first Distributor in Australia and New Zealand to earn the status of NetApp Star Distributor, the highest level available within its distribution program and only one of six across the APAC region.

The Star status requires a distributor to meet stringent competencies relating to the ability to deliver reseller training; demonstration stock; technical and pre-sales qualifications; and installation and implementation qualifications.

Distribution Central has either met or exceeded all requirements with its six technical staff certified across the required range of technical/pre-sales qualifications; and four of its engineers trained to deliver NetApp Accredited Sales Professional (NASP) and NetApp Accredited Technical Sales Professional (NATSP) training to the NetApp reseller community, when only two are required.

Furthermore, its six technical staff are spread across the A/NZ region, ensuring coverage of the NetApp A/NZ channel.

“It’s no secret among the A/NZ reseller community that DC’s skills and service ethic, delivered through the Fusion Systems business unit are world class,” says Nick Verykios, MD, Distribution Central.

“We continually top global customer satisfaction surveys.

“However, our investment in systems that exist nowhere else but Australia and New Zealand are what keeps our partners competitive against other resellers offering alternative technologies, with increased accuracy, minimum time to quote, minimum time to respond and minimum cost in configurations.

“The Star Distributor status is a formal acknowledgement of all of this and whilst it focuses on competencies relating to enablement and technical skills, our investment in systems, services, strategies and products also support the NetApp reseller community such as our DC PODfactory service that delivers FlexPods and other DC POD solutions; marketing services and MDF support; and our DC CloudSelect program.”

Distribution Central is still the only distributor globally that has developed a FlexPod configurator, and a configurator for NetApp Private Storage for AWS, a move which Verykios believes saves partners “massive hours” in configuration work.

“NetApp has a long history of working with Distribution Central; a partnership that demonstrates our joint commitment to world class service offerings for our partners,” adds Neville James, Channels & Enablement Director, NetApp A/NZ.

“We would like to congratulate Distribution Central on stepping up to Star level.”

Distribution Central has delivered regular NetApp certification training nationally in Australia and New Zealand since 2007 and 2012 respectively, in addition to other enablement programs such as NetApp PartnerTAPs and GetSuccessful programs.

Verykios says its Star competencies ensure that it continues to deliver relevant support and enablement to NetApp partners.

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